Gate latch



April-15, 1952 Q E. DQLE GATE LATCH Filed April 17. lgflB INVENTOR. CHESTER E. DOLE BY ym Mr@ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES. PATENT oFFIcE GATE LATCH Chester E. Dole, Vallejo, Calif. *l Application April 1i, 194s, serial No. 21,581

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a gate latch and has for several of its objects the provision of a gate latch that is more compact than heretofore and that is simpler and more rugged in construction and one that is positive in holding a gate closed but that very readily releases the gate and can be manipulated from either side of the gate.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a gate latch in which there is a single rigid catch on the gate and a releasable keeper on the gate jamb that is positive in keeping the gate locked in closed position but that is adapted to be manipulated manually or by the foot from either side of the gate according to the height at which the catch and keeper are positioned, and which gate latch is also provided with means for swinging the gate open upon release of the catch by manipulation of the keeper from either side'of the gate.

The present gate latch bears similarity to the latch shown in my United States Patent No. 2,441,691 issued May 18, 1948. Serial No. 736,466, filed March 22, 1947. This invention is an improvement thereon. being of simpler and more economical construction.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of the keeper on a portion of the gate jamb, the latter being broken away above the keeper and the position of the catch that is carried by the gate is indicated in dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the catch rigidly secured to the gate, the portion of the gate to which it is secured being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the keeper of Fig. 1 with certain portions broken away to reveal structure not apparent from Fig. 1.

In detail, the jamb of a gate is indicated at I in Fig. land the portion of the gate adjacent the jamb is indicated at 2 in Fig. 2. The swinging or hinging post of the gate is along the edge of the latter opposite the jamb, and the gate is hinged to such post.(not shown) for swinging of the gate in a horizontal plane.

The catch of the present invention is indicated at 3 (Fig. 2) and in Fig. 1 the dash lines 3 indicate the portion of the catch that is held by 'the keeper. The said catch comprises a rigid member that is stationarily secured to the gate along the edge that is adjacent the jamb, and

which member may be secured to said edge by I I by screws I0 or by any other suitable means in portion of the catch that is held by the keeper,

a position with its at side facing the gate.

One of the actual elements of the keeper between which the catch 3 is adapted to be held comprises a rigid stop II that is preferably integral with the leg portion 8 Vof plate 1'. This stop projects from the said portion' toward the gate and is in the path of the catch 3 so as to be engaged by said catch when the gate is closed, thus stopping the gate from swinging past the stop from an open position of the gate at one side of thegate opening.

The other keeper element comprises a horizontally extending element I2 that is pivoted to the plate 'I by a pivot I3 spaced to the side of the stop II that is opposite the side of said stop that the catch is adapted to engage.

The element I2 extends from the pivot I3 across the upper edge of stop II and is formed with a shoulder at the side of stop I I that is engaged by catch 3 to provide a vertically downwardly extending edge I4 that is parallel with the flat vertical face of stop II in spaced opposed relation thereto.` The catch 3 is adapted to be held between the vertical side of stop II and the vertical edge I4 of the element I2 and as the opposite sides of the catch 3 are also vertical, the keeper elements will positivelyr hold the catch between them until the element I2 is swung upwardly so as to permit said catch to p asswbelow theportion of the element I2 that eiitends away from the shoulder I4.

The lower edge of that portion of the element I2 that extends away from the lower end of shoulder I4 is inclined upwardly so as to provide a slanted cam surface I5 that is adapted to slide overk the upper edge of catch 3 when the gate is swung from open position to closed position, thereby elevating the element YI2 to permit the catch to move to stop II.- As soon as the said catch clears the lower end of shoulder I4 in its movement to stop II, the element I2 will automatically drop to the position shown in Fig. 1 in which the catch will be held between stop I I and element I2 until said element is again elevated. No degree of force against the gate will open the same. The element I2 must be lifted or swung generally vertically upwardly before the 'catch can be released.

In the present invention, the means for elevating the keeper element I2 and for swinging the gate and catch away from stop II is a gate actuating mechanism that is carried by the plate 'I. This mechanism comprises a generally horizontally extending lever I6 that is connected to an upstanding ear I1 formed on the outer end of base 9 of the plate 'I by a horizontal pivot I8. The pivot I8 is at a point intermediate the inner and outer ends of lever I6 but nearer the inner end. IIhe outer end of lever I6 projects away from the ear I1 in a direction generally away from the jamb I and to one side of the gate and is formed with a foot or hand engaging portion 2U that is adapted to project at right angles to the lever I6 in a direction away from the side of the lever that is adjacent gate 2.

Integrally connected with the inner end of lever` I 6 is an upstanding leg 2l that generally extends alongside the plate 'I between said plate and the gate and the vertically extending edge of said leg that generally faces toward the lever IB curves in direction away from lever I6 at a point 22 that is at about the level of the` catch 3 when said catch is between the stop I I andthe shoulder I4. This point is practically even with the lower edge of the stop II. However, the leg 2l will clear the outer end of stop II when the lever I6 is *depressed to swing the leg 2l clockwise as seen in Fig. l.

From point 22 the edge of the leg 2| that is at the same side as the lever I6 extends in direction away from said lever in a slantingly upward direction, as at 23, and then upwardly again as at 24, terminating in a rounded upper end portion 25 that is positioned just below one end of ahorizontally disposed strip 26, in transverse contour, that is integral with the element I 2 and that extends along the up-per edge of the latter substantially from end to end thereof. The end portion 2'I of strip 26 that is directly over the upper end 25 of leg 2I extends horizontally longitudinally thereof in direction toward the opposite end of the strip and at a point 28 which is almost directly over stop I I, the strip 25 extends slightly upwardly.

Above the element I2, including strip 25 that is integral therewith, is a limit stop 30 secured to plate 'I and projecting' across said element and strip. This stop is spaced above said element and strip and to the side of pivot I3 that is toward the end of the element remote from said pivot.

In operation, upon depressing the outer end of the lever IS, the upper end of leg 2l will swing upwardly and clockwise, as seen in Fig. l. In swinging upwardly it first engages the underside of the end portion 2'! of said strip causing the element I2 to swing upwardly a distance suiicient for the lower end of shoulder Ill to clear the catch 3 and as soon as this occurs, the rounded point 22 along the edge of leg 2I that is adjacent the catch 3 will engage the catch and will exert a lateral push on said catch to cause the gate to swing open. Practically no wear is produced on the catch by the engagement between the same and said rounded edge at point 22 on leg 2l.

Extending downwardly from the lower end of leg 2I and from the inner end of lever I6 is a weighted extension 32 that also extends generally toward the side of the jamb from which the lever I6 projects. This weighted end extends below the ear II (Fig. 1) which ear is slightly oset from the main plane of plate 'I in direction toward the gate 2.

The edge of weighted extension 32 that is opposite its edge from which the lever I6 preferably extends follows an arc having the pivot I8 as its center, thus making possible the projection of a boss 33 from plate 'I relatively close to said arcuate edge without interfering with the swinging of said weighted extension about said pivot.

J ournalled in this boss 33 is a pivot 34 that supports an arm 35 for swinging on said pivot` One end 36 of said arm extends horizontally from said pivot 34 and is of substantially the same shape as lever I6, having a foot or hand engaging lateral projection 3l' at its outer end.

This arm 35 is at the side of plate 'I that is opposite the jamb I and the said jamb may be cut away as at 39 to accommodate the same.

The end AIll.) of arm 35 that is at the side of the pivot 34 opposite the portion 36 of said arm is provided with an arcuately extending slot 4I, in

which a pin 42 on the inner end of lever |13 projects. Y

The said slot 4I is so arranged that a depression of the portion 36 of arm 35 will result in also swinging the inner end of lever I6 downwardly so as to cause the leg 2l and weighted extension 32 on lever IS lto move in exactly the same manner as though the lever I8 were depressed.

Inasmuchas thep-ortion 36 of arm 35 projects laterally from the jamb at the side thereof opposite lever I5it will be obvious that the gate can be opened from either side of the gate by depressing either portion 36 or lever I8 as desired.

The weighted extension will always return the arm 36 and lever I6 to the full line position of Fig. 1 after an operation of either one.

From the foregoing description it is seen that the keeper and gate actuating mechanisms are al1 compactly arranged on a single plate that may be quickly secured to the jamb of a gate and the catch is a single rigid element adapted to be secured to the gate. There are no springs, cords, wires or other easily disarranged or easily-broken elements. While t-e catch and the supporting plate 'I, as shown, are positioned adjacent the lower end oi the jamb, they may obviously be positioned at any desired height.

I claim:

l. In a gate latch having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor in a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jam, a movable retainer including a retaining element spaced from said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be swingingly mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch upon swinging said gate to open position in direction away from said stop,.gate actuating means separate from said retainer and adjacent said stop at the same side of said catch as said stop and adapted to be swingingly secured to said jamb for simultaneous generally vertical and lateral movement into engagement successively with said retainer and said catch for respectively moving said retainer generally vertical to a position with said element out of the path of said catch and for swinging said gate toward open position past said retaining element, downwardly depressible means connected with said gate actuating means for causing said generally vertical and lateral movement catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retaining'element spaced from said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be swingingly mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch upon swinging said gate to open position in direction away from said stop, gate actuating means separate from said retainer and adjacent said stop at the same side -of said catch as said stop and adapted to be swingingly secured to said jamb for simultaneous generally vertical and lateral movement into engagement successively with said retainer and said catch for respectively moving said retainer generally vertical to a position with said element out of the path of said catch and for swinging said gate toward open position past said retaining element, downwardly depressible means connected with said gate actuating means for causing said generally vertical and lateral movement of the latter upon depression of said depressible means, gravity actuated means integral with said gate actuating means for automatically returning said gate actuating means and said depressible means to their positions before said latter means has been actuated upon release of said depressible means.

3. In a gate latch having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor in a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retaining element spaced from said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be swingingly mounted on said jainb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch upon swinging said gate to open position in direction away from said stop, gate actuating means separate from said retainer and adjacent said stop at the same side of said catchV as said stop and adapted to be swingingly Y secured to said jarnb for simultaneous generally vertical and lateral movement into engagement succesively with said retainer and said catch for respectively moving said retainer generally vertical to a position with said element out of the path of said catch and for swinging said gate towardopen position past said retaining element, downwardly depressible means connected with said gate actuating means for causing said generally vertical and lateral movement of the latter upon depression of said depressible means, said depressible means comprising a pair of handles projecting from opposite sides of said jamb for actuation thereof from either side of said gate.

4. In a gate latch having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally'swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor in a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said Y catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be i, stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retaining element spaced from Said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be swingingly mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch upon swinging said-gate to open position in direction away from said stop, gate actuating means separate from said retainer and adjacent said stop at the same side of said catch as said stop and adapted to be swingingly secured to said jamb for simultaneous generally vertical and lateral movement into engagement successively with said retainer and said catch for respectively moving said retainer generally vertical to a position with said element out of the path of said catch and for swinging said gate toward open position past said retaining element, downwardly depressible means connected with saidv gate actuating means for causing saidgenerally vertical and lateral movement of the latter upon depression of said depressible means, said retainer including an inclined cam surface engageable by said catch upon swinging of said gate toclosed position for causing movement of said retainer and said element out of the path ofv said catch, said retaining element being deiined by a square shoulder formed on said retainer at one end of said cam surface opposed to said stop for obstructing movement of said catch and gate to open position.

5. In a gate having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor in a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a-stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retaining element spaced from-said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be pivotally mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch to free said catch for permitting swinging of said gate and catch away from said stop to open position, retainer and gate actuating means for so swinging said retainer and said gate comprising a pair of depressible levers projecting from opposite sides of said jamb, means for pivotally supporting said levers on said jamb for simultaneous similar movement upon depression of eitherlever, a retainer lifting member on one of levers and positioned for swinging with said one lever in an arcuate path of travel generally upwardly and laterally for successively engaging said retainer and said catch for successively causing said upward swinging of said retainer and horizontal swinging of said catch and gate in a direction away from said stop whereby said element will be moved out of the path of travel of said catch and said gate Will thereafter be swung to said open position upon depression of either of said levers.

6. In a gate having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor in a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retaining element spaced from said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be pivotally mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the 'path of movement of said catch to free said catch for permitting swinging of said gate and catch away from said stop to open position, retainer and gate actuating means for so swinging said retainer and said gate comprising a pair of depressible levers projecting from opposite sides of said jamb, means for pivotally supporting said levers on said jamb for simultaneous similar movement upon depression of either lever, a retainer lifting member on one of Asaid levers and positioned for swinging with said one lever in an arcuate path of travel generally upwardly and laterally for successively engaging said retainer and said catch for successively causing said upward swinging of said retainer and horizontal swinging of said catch and gate in a direction away from said stop whereby said element will be moved out of the path of travel of said catch and said gate will thereafter be swung to said open position upon depression of either of said levers, a mounting plate supporting said retainer, stop, levers and retainer lifting means thereon for securement to said lamb as a unit.

7. In a gate having a rigid catch adapted to be stationarily secured to a horizontally swinging gate adjacent the jamb therefor Vin a position projecting toward said jamb, a keeper for said catch adapted to be secured to said jamb opposite said catch comprising: a stop adapted to be stationarily secured to said jamb, a movable retainer including a retainer element spaced from said stop and adapted to engage said catch when said gate is in closed position for holding said catch between said stop and said element, said movable retainer being adapted to be pivotally mounted on said jamb for generally vertical movement of said element out of the path of movement of said catch to free said catch for permitting swingingof said gate and catch away from said stop to open position, retainer and gate actuating means for so swinging said retainer and said gate comprising a pair of depressible levers projecting from opposite sides of said jamb, means for pivotally supporting said levers on said jamb for simultaneous similar movement upon depression of either lever, a retainer lifting member on one of said levers and positioned for swinging with said one lever in an arcuate path of travel generally upwardly and laterally for successively engaging said retainer and said catch for successively causing said upward swinging of said retainer and horizontal swinging of said catch and gate in a direction away from said stop whereby said element will be moved out of the path of travel of said catch and said gate will thereafter be swung to said open position upon depression of either of said levers, a gravity actuated weight secured to one of said levers for automatically returning said levers to their normal elevated positions upon release of said levers, and said retainer being gravity actuated for returning automatically to a position opposite said stop member upon said return of said levers to their elevated positions.

CHESTER E. DOLE` REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 168,525 Peterman Oct. 5, 1875 276,626 Powell 1-.. May 1, 1883 848,731 Edwards Apr. 2, 1907 946,388 Mitchell Jan. 10,1910

1,102,220 Ahlstrom June 20, 1914 1,199,849 Willoughby Oct. 3, 1916 1,244,910 Smith Oct. 30, 1917 1,324,428 Mair 1 Dec. 9, 1919 

